System and method for filling a nugget transported on a conveyor

Abstract

A system for filling nuggets transported along a conveyor utilizes a platform that is positioned above the conveyor in a generally parallel fashion. The platform alternatingly moves in either one of a direction substantially similar to the direction of motion of the conveyor, and a direction substantially opposite to the direction of motion of the conveyor. A coring device is mounted onto the platform and used for forming a cavity in the nuggets. A depositing device is mounted on the platform, and is used for introducing a filling into the cavity in the nuggets. The platform is moving, so that the nuggets can be transported by the conveyor, without having to vary the speed of transportation of the nuggets, while either one of a cavity is being formed and the cavity in the nugget is being filled.

We claim:  
     
       1. A system for filling a nugget, comprising: 
       a conveyor capable of transporting the nugget;  
       a platform positioned above the conveyor and capable of alternatingly moving in either one of a first direction, substantially similar to the direction of motion of the conveyor, and a second direction, substantially opposite to the direction of motion of the conveyor;  
       a coring device mounted on the platform and capable of forming a cavity in the nugget while the nugget is being transported on the conveyor;  
       a depositing device mounted on the platform and capable of introducing a filling into the cavity in the nugget while the nugget is being transported on the conveyor; and  
       wherein, during the forming of a cavity and the introducing of a filling, the platform moves so that throughout the transportation of the nugget along the conveyor the nugget is transported at a generally constant velocity.  
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a feed housing that introduces the nugget to the conveyor. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the feed housing includes a timing release mechanism for loading the nugget onto the conveyor. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
       a collet attached to the conveyor and capable of holding the nugget; and  
       at least one rod connecting the platform to the feed housing to synchronize the motion of the feed housing with the platform to load the nugget into the collet.  
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , wherein the collet secures the nugget in a predetermined position facilitating the forming of the cavity and facilitating the filling of the cavity. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the platform is supported by a first walking beam and a second walking beam. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
       a motor supplying power to a driving gear;  
       a cam assembly having a driven gear coaxially attached, the driven gear being driven by the driving gear;  
       a first cam follower coaxially mounted with the first walking beam and in communication with the cam assembly;  
       a second cam follower coaxially mounted with a lever and in communication with the cam assembly; and  
       the second walking beam being connected to the lever via a rod.  
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
       the conveyor transporting a plurality of rows, each containing a predetermined number of nuggets, the plurality of rows extending generally perpendicularly with respect to a direction of motion of the conveyor;  
       the coring device operating on each of the predetermined number of nuggets in one of the plurality of rows simultaneously; and  
       the depositing device operating on each of the predetermined number of nuggets in another of the plurality of rows simultaneously.  
     
     
       9. A system for filling a nugget, comprising: 
       a conveyor capable of transporting the nugget;  
       a platform movably positioned above the conveyor;  
       a coring device mounted on the platform and capable of forming a cavity in the nugget while the nugget is being transported by the conveyor;  
       a depositing device mounted on the platform and capable of introducing a filling into the cavity in the nugget while the nugget is being transported by the conveyor; and  
       wherein, during the forming of the cavity and the introducing of the filling, the platform moves so that the nugget can be transported throughout a length of the conveyor without having to vary the speed of transportation of the nugget.  
     
     
       10. A system for coring a food product, comprising: 
       a conveyor capable of transporting the food product;  
       a platform positioned above the conveyor and capable of alternatingly moving in either one of a first direction, substantially similar to the direction of motion of the conveyor, and a second direction, substantially opposite to the direction of motion of the conveyor;  
       a coring device mounted on the platform and capable of forming a cavity in the food product while the food product is being transported on the conveyor; and  
       wherein, during the forming of a cavity, the platform moves so that throughout the transportation of the food product along the conveyor the food product is transported at a generally constant velocity.  
     
     
       11. A system for filling a food product, comprising: 
       a conveyor capable of transporting the food product;  
       a platform positioned above the conveyor and capable of alternatingly moving in either one of a first direction, substantially similar to the direction of motion of the conveyor, and a second direction, substantially opposite to the direction of motion of the conveyor;  
       a depositing device mounted on the platform and capable of introducing a filling into a cavity in the food product while the food product is being transported on the conveyor; and  
       wherein, during the introducing of a filling, the platform moves so that throughout the transportation of the food product along the conveyor the food product is transported at a generally constant velocity.